With the winter months approaching, cars require safety checks to make sure they are prepared for harsher weather. The following are three maintenance steps you can take in order to ensure your vehicle is safe.
-Inspect your tires – all five of them. It’s important to check not only the four tires that are currently on your car, but also the spare as well. It needs to be in good condition and ready to use in case of an emergency. You can check your tires using a pressure check. Usually tires lose one pound per square inch for every 10 degree drop in temperature. According to the Department of Energy, inflating your tires correctly can improve your fuel economy by three percent (about 10 cents per gallon).
-Check out your car battery. Car batteries have been shown to lose strength in colder weather. Have an auto repairman check the battery, and the connections. Most batteries have a three to five year life.
-Maintain wiper blades and washer fluid. This is important, as wipers are a necessary feature when in bad weather. Check the fluid at least monthly. Use a solution that won’t freeze. As far as wiper blades, the rubber insert should be replaced every year.
As a Los Angeles car accident lawyer, I hope these tips will reduce the chances of an accident and improve safety, and maybe even save you a little money. In my experience as a personal injury lawyer, I’ve seen how properly maintaining a car can help a driver avoid serious wrecks and damage.